Self-wringing mop



Oct. 1, 1968 J. D. HOLDERMAN SELF-WRINGING MOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16. 1967 INVENTOR, JIM D. H01. DERMAIg 3 u 2 m v w 1 w W N n ATTORNEY Oct. 1, 1968 HOLDERMAN 3,403,959

SELF-WRINGING MOP Filed March 16. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR, F I G. 7: JIM D. HOLDERMAN,

United States Patent 3,403,959 SELF-WRINGING MOP Jim I). Holderman, 6714 Amigo St., Reseda, Calif. 91335 Filed Mar. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 623,632 4 Claims. (Cl. 401-148) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The mop is characterized by having a sponge type mop head with a liquid reservoir thereabove. A transfer tube leads from the top surface of the mop head to the highest level in the reservoir for passage of liquid from the sponge type mop head into the reservoir.

The present invention relates to mops generally and specifically to a type of mop which utilizes a liquid reservoir. Specifically, the mop includes in one embodiment a sponge rubber member and a reservoir associated therewith for containing a liquid which may be soapy in nature.

An object of the invention is to provide a liquid reservoir and sponge mop wherein liquid in the reservoir may be poured upon the floor or other surface, the mop passed over the floor in the liquid and then the mop alternately compressed and expanded to pump dirty liquid from the floor back into the reservoir, to leave the floor substantially dry.

A further object is the provision of a mop so formed and constructed as to hold a detergent liquid in a reservoir for deposit upon a surface to be cleaned and wherein the mop will reabsorb dirty liquid from the surface and direct the liquid upon compression and expansion of the mop into the liquid reservoir without the hands of the operator being brought into contact with the detergent liquid or the mop base.

A further object is the provision of a reservoir type sponge mop, the reservoir holding the liquid which is to clean a surface for deposit upon the surface, followed by a scrubbing operation by the mop and return of dirty liquid to the reservoir.

A further object is a reservoir type sponge mop in which the mop elements are readily removed from the reservoir, or separated therefrom for a cleaning operation, or for replacement thereof.

A further object is the provision of a reservoir type sponge mop which may be flushed clean from a water faucet.

A further object is the provision of a reservoir type mop which does not splash liquid from the reservoir during a mopping operation.

A further object is the provision of a reservoir type sponge mop so constructed and arranged that the sponge acts as a pumping means for directing liquid therethrough into the reservoir and without any outward splash of the liquid when pumped into the reservoir.

A further object is the provision of a liquid reservoir sponge mop which is attractive in appearance, simple of structure, inexpensive in cost of manufacture, and easily manipulated by a person to achieve a superior result.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction, association and relative arrangement of parts, members, and features all as disclosed in a certain embodiment in the accompanying drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the mop as an entirety;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, side elevation showing Patented Oct. 1, 1968 the reservoir portion of the mop in position to be fil ed or flushed with a liquid;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, side elevation showing the mop and its handle reversed in position from that of FIGURE 2 for deposit of any liquid within the reservoir upon a surface such as a floor;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the mop as an entirety taken on the line 44 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 88 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the top of the sponge member of the mop;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional View on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view on a reduced scale showing separation of the reservoir member from the sponge member.

Referring to the drawings, the mop as an entirety as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 comprises three associated elements or members such as sponge 1 which constitutes the head, reservoir 2 detachably secured to and supported on sponge 1, and handle 3 for manipulating the device as an entirety.

For illustrative purposes only, I have provided for the mop or sponge unit 1, two members which are preferably formed from a synthetic material and comprise members 4 and 5 in juxtaposition. Members 4 and 5 are cemented or sealed together around the marginal edges thereof as shown at 6 and adjacent surfaces of the members 4 and 5 as indicated at 7 are not sealed or cemented together. The member 4 is formed of soft sponge material while member 5 has greater toughness and is more resistant to distortion or deformation under compression. A sponge retainer member 10, as detailed in FIGURES 9 and 10 overlies member 5. The sponge retainer member 10 is formed with a flange 11 adapted to surround the marginal edge of the member 5 in accordance with the shape or form of said marginal edge, which formis oval in the present embodiment. A perforated top plate 12 joins th flange 11, the perforations 13 of which directly communicate with the top of the member 5 so that any liquid received in the members 4 and 5 may be passed through the perforations 13 when the sponge members are compressed and expanded. The sponge retainer member is provided with a transverse encircling flange 14 extending inwardly and outwardly of flange 11 and which spacedly partly overlies the perforated top plate 12 as shown in FIGURE 10. This construction provides an encircling groove at 15. The construction is such that a slotted flap 16 extends from the flange 14, the purpose of which will be stated in the statement of operation of the device. Flange 14 generally follows the outline or contour of the sponge. However, the inner marginal edge of flange 14 is straight at 17 to provide a flange or web 18 of segmental form at the end opposite end flap 16. To prevent tearing when the device is being used as hereinafter set forth, the flange 14 may have an encircling bead 19.

The reservoir 2 includes a hollow substantially spherical member having secured thereto an arched pressure plate 25. The pressure plate is adapted to overlie the perforated top plate 12 of the sponge retainer with the marginal edges thereof received in the slot 15 for holding the reservoir 2 and the sponge retainer 10 in working relationship. The reservoir and the sponge retainer may be readily separated from each other by the operator grasping the flap 16 and pulling downwardly to release the pressure Plate from the groove and from beneath flange or web 18.

The spherical reservoir 2 is diametrically provided with a liquid transfer tube 26, the mouth end of which communicates with the space lying between the concave surface portion of the arched pressure plate and the sponge retainer member 10 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. The outlet end of the liquid transfer tube 26 lies adjacent the top of spherical reservoir 2 and may be open ended although in the present instance a dome 27 is provided, the concave surface of which will receive liquid passed through the transfer tube and deflect said liquid backwardly and downwardly in the reservoir. In this case the transfer tube adjacent the dome portion may be given a slanting cut 28 while the forward portion of said tube may be integral with the reservoir at the dome portion. The tube 26 is cut as high as possible adjacent the dome 27 so that the reservoir may be substantially filled with water.

The reservoir 2 has increased wall thickness 29 at the top portion thereof which includes the dome 27 and a portion that receives the handle 3 as hereinafter set forth.

The reservoir 2 is internally provided with a baffle plate 30 at an angle to the axis of the tube 26 and of the form shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the baflie wall joins the interior surface of the spherical reservoir for substantially a semi-circle thereof and in part surrounds the tube 26 to provide wings at 31 and 32. The bafile is provided with an intermediate opening 33 adjacent the inner wall of the spherical reservoir and the wings 31 and 32 provide for an open space at 34 between the baffle and the interior of the sphere adjacent the enlarged thickness portion 29.

The reservoir 2 is externally provided with a radial spout formed from soft material, which spout communicates with the interior of the reservoir and particularly what is termed the forward portion of the reservoir and above the baffle 30. It will be noted that the bore of the spout extends upwardly with the inlet at a height substantially equal to the top of the dome 27 so that the reservoir may be filled to a high point and at least to a point as high as the slanting cut 28.

The thickened wall 29 of the reservoir is provided with a transverse screw threaded bore for receiving a screw threaded stud 46 attached to the end of the elongated handle 3.

In order to assure the integrity of the assembly of the reservoir with the sponge members of the mop, the i sponge retainer member 10 is provided with an encircling top surface head 50 positioned opposite the bead 19. In turn, the arched pressure plate 25 is formed with an encircling groove 51, FIGURE 8, so that when the marginal encircling edge of the arched pressure plate is received within the slot 15 of the sponge retainer member 10, bead 50 is received within groove 51 and held in position by the head 19.

To assure that the arched pressure plate 25 does not flex and close the openings 13 in the sponge retainer plate, ribs 52 and 53 are provided on the concave surface of the pressure plate. The ribs lie on the major axis of the pressure plate.

The operation, uses and advantages of my invention are as follows:

It will be noted that in the spherical form of the reservoir the diameter thereof is less than the width of the sponges 4 and 5 at the minor axis thereof. The marginal flange 11 of the flexible sponge retainer acts as a bumper so that any objects contacted will not be damaged by the mop.

The flexible sponge retainer may be removed from the arched pressure plate or replaced in position with said arched pressure plate by grasping the flap 16 and pulling downwardly while holding the reservoir and arched pressure plate to allow release of the pressure plate from the groove 15 and from the web or flange 18. Reassembly is the reverse of the above stated operation in that the arched pressure plate may have an end thereof positioned between the web or flange 18 and the flexible sponge retainer followed by an upward movement of the sponge retainer by grasping the flap 16 which will cause the encircling edge of the arched pressure plate to be received in the groove 15 of the sponge retainer 10. Thus assembly and disassembly of the two elements is a simple operation.

I am not confining the present invention to the oval outline of the sponges or necessarily to a spherical reservoir as other geometric configurations may be used such as square or rectangular.

In the present instance, the sponges 4 and 5 maybe of synthetic material, plastic, or of rubber composition. This is not important save and except that one homogeneous sponge may be used instead of the two shown at 4 and 5, although I have shown an upper and lower sponge adapted to pass liquid through both sponges. The reservoir and its associated arched pressure plate may be formed of a plastic which may be transparent and which will withstand stress such as an impact without breakage. In this respect the reservoir and the pressure plate wall thickness withstands a reasonable stress imposed thereon.

If the sponges become dirty and it is desired to flush the same clean, this may be done in two ways, to wit: the spout 40 may be inserted in the outlet of a spigot, as shown in FIGURE 2 so as to provide a close fit, the valve of the spigot turned to direct water through the spout and into the reservoir 2, the water passing through the transfer tube 26 and outwardly of the month thereof through the perforations of the flexible sponge retainer 10 and hence through the sponges. The second manner of cleaning the sponges is to remove the flexible sponge retainer and the sponges from the arched pressure plate and twisting the sponges and the flexible sponge retainer to perform a wringing operation. When the parts are in assembly as shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 and 4 and 5 respectively, the reservoir may be filled with a detergent or soap bearing liquid in the manner shown in FIG- URE 2 by placing the spout in engagement with a spigot to pass liquid into the reservoir. The operator grasps the handle 3 and moves the assembly to the position shown in FIGURE 1 upon the article to be cleaned, such as linoleum or tile on a floor as indicated at 55. However, water when not under spigot pressure within the reservoir will not pass downwardly from the reservoir through the sponges onto the floor and accordingly, the assembly is turned to the position of FIGURE 3 to direct liquid from the reservoir through the spout and onto the tile or linoleum. The liquid in the reservoir will pass through hole 33 and space 34. When a sufficient amount of liquid is on the floor, the assembly is returned to the position of FIGURE 1 and the operator then performs a mopping operation in the usual manner. The invention provides for pump action to not only mop the floor but to remove the liquid from the floor after said mopping and this is accomplished by imposing a downward pressure upon the handle 3 to in turn transmit said pressure to the reservoir to compress the sponges 4 and 5. The sponges of course absorb the liquid on the floor and the dirt in said liquid and downward compression distorts the sponges followed by expansion of the sponges upon pressure release to pump the liquid through said sponges upwardly through the transfer tube 26 and outwardly thereof at the outlet end 28. However, the water so passed through the transfer tube will strike the dome 27, which dome will deflect the water downwardly and backwardly into the reservoir. When the mop is being used and a back and forth movement is made by the operator, water will not deflect from the reservoir through spout 40 due to the presence of the baflie 30 and there will be no splashing of water by mop action through the spout onto the floor.

It may be pointed out that the bead 50 in its engagement with the arched pressure plate effectively prevents any back flow of liquid between the flexible sponge retainer and said arched pressure plate during manipulation of the mop.

It is evident that on a floor that is not too dirty, that the liquid in the reservoir may be used a number of times and after such use returned to the reservoir by pumping action of the sponges. If the reservoir assumes other forms such as square or rectangular, and whether formed of plastic or other material, the same type of construction is followed as for the spherical form, particularly with respect to the transfer tube 26 from an intermediate position of the arched pressure plate to the top of the reservoir as well as the use of a baffie plate for restricting outward flow or splash through the spout, the spout being preferably adjacent the top of any geometric configuration of reservoir and at an angle.

The mop of the invention incorporates a sponge that facilitates an easy movement of liquid upward and a resistance to movement of liquid laterally when the sponge is compressed. This is accomplished by designing a sponge of special porosity and structure and sealing the sides against liquid escaping. The kind of sponge that is needed becomes apparent when the sponge is collapsed by pressure from a perforated plate. Liquid contained in the cellulose fibers is squeezed out into the holes of the sponge and, being restricted by the floor and the sealed sides, is forced upward through the perforated plate. However, the compressing of the fibers tends to form a mat which restricts flow of the liquid in one direction and causes some of it to squirt out the bottom. This can be overcome to some extent by constructing a sandwich sponge of different porosity and stiffness; the bottom sponge with small holes and less stiffness and the top sponge with large holes and greater stiffness. The bottom sponge will collapse first and discharge its liquid upward into the larger holes of the top sponge which will in turn discharge its liquid upward through the perforated pressure plate with less internal resistance than occurs in a single sponge of uniform porosity and stiffness of the same thickness. The effect is even greater with multi layers comprising a sponge unit with a soft bottom and a stiff top. The typical action of the layers achieves a pumping effect with normal scrubbing and mopping because liquid is constantly displaced upward into the upper layers and cannot readily flow back into the bottom layers when the sponge is allowed to expand being as the continuity of the cellulose fibers is broken between the layers. This sandwich construction also prevents excess liquid from the transfer tube and transfer space from flowing back into the bottom layer which must remain as free of liquid as possible to dry the floor. The pumping action may be improved by constructing a sponge with elongated or tubular holes rather than globular holes, and these holes should be more or less perpendicular to the direction of pressure and parallel to the fibers or grain of the sponge (vertical). Compressing will reduce the areas of theholes but not completely close them until total collapse and this reduction will occur sooner in the bottom layer with small holes than in the top layers, resulting in a squeeze upward with little or no tendency to squirt out the bottom. This sponge will also wring dryer than a conventional sponge, with less effort because it will develop less internal restriction or back pressure. The" area of the bottom of the reservoir as shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5 and, therefore, the pressure plate is so constructed that flexing thereof will not release the marginal edges thereof from the groove 15 under ordinary working conditions of the mop. Release of the flexible sponge retainer from the pressure plate must be by the method previously described wherein the operator forcibly removes or causes separation thereof as indicated in FIGURE 11.

I claim:

1. In combination, a sponge type mop head having a lower and an upper surface, a perforated retainer plate overlying the top surface of said mop head, an arched pressure plate overlying and securing the perforated retainer plate and the mop head, a reservoir having a spout secured to the arched pressure plate and a transfer tube within said reservoir and extending from the arched pressure plate to the top of the reservoir for directing liquid received in said mop head upwardly through said transfer tube and into the reservoir, and a baffle plate within the reservoir for deflecting liquid received in the reservoir from passage from said reservoir outwardly of the spout when the mop is manipulated.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, said mop head comprising two sponge members of identical form in juxtaposition, the edges of both sponge members being sealed against passage of a liquid outwardly therefrom and the sponge member for engagement with an article to be cleaned having less density than the second sponge member whereby compression of the sponge members forces a liquid through the sponge member of lesser density into the sponge member of greater density, the sponge member of greater density restricting return flow of liquid.

3. In combination: an absorbent mop head having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surfaces adapted for engagement with an article to be cleaned with a liquid applied thereto, a reservoir mounted to and above the top surface of said mop head, means of liquid communication between the mop head upper surface and the reservoir, means of applying pressure on said mop head to create a greater pressure on the peripheral edge of said mop head to seal the bottom of said mop head from liquid escape to thereby force flow of liquid inwardly through said mop head and upwardly toward said reservoir to achieve a pumping action.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3, characterized in said means of applying pressure on said mop head comprising a pressure plate of arched form.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,258,809 7/1966 Harvey 15321 3,281,885 11/1966 Hersh 15321 XR 2,418,035 3/1947 Lachapelle 15547 FOREIGN PATENTS 970,137 6/ 1950 France.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT I. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

